News Releases for August 2008
August 21, 2008
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Hoeven Highlights State's Energy Development Progress At Pickens Fargo Event
FARGO, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today kicked off an event featuring energy leader T. Boone Pickens by citing the remarkable progress of North Dakota's energy development on all fronts. The Governor reiterated his goals of doubling the state's total energy production from all sources, and deriving 25 percent of the nation's energy production from renewable energy by 2025.
In 2001, the Hoeven Administration built a statewide economic development strategic plan that targeted energy as a prime industry sector for growth. That was followed by a comprehensive energy plan that partnered industry sectors and developed all of the state's energy resources, renewable and traditional, in tandem.
"Our energy plan has evolved and grown, driven by effective tax, finance and marketing incentives designed to develop all of our many energy resources together," Hoeven said. "Now, we're seeing the results of that plan in dramatically expanded production in wind, oil, natural gas, biofuels and other energy resources, and we are poised to do even more."
Some of the highlights of the state's progress include advances in both renewable and traditional energy development.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
WIND
Four years ago, we had less than ½ a megawatt of wind generation; with new projects built or in development, we will reach capacity of more than 2,500 MW, and there's more on the way. New capacity will require new transmission, which the State's Transmission Authority is facilitating in partnership with lignite coal development.
ETHANOL
Four years ago, we produced less than 40 million gallons a year total; today, we have six new ethanol plants completed or in development, with a total production capacity of more than ½ billion gallons.
BIODIESEL
Four years ago, we produced no biodiesel; with three new facilities now in operation or development, we will have a combined capacity of 90 million gallons.
HYDROGEN
North Dakota is home to the nation's only federally designated Center for Hydrogen Technology, our nation's leader in hydrogen research and development. It's a N.D. Center of Excellence.
TRADITIONAL ENERGY
PETROLEUM
Estimated crude reserves of up to 4 billion barrels; currently producing 166,000 bbl a day – doubling our production since April and breaking the former record of 148,000 bbl a day. The state is also working on four new refinery projects, involving both oil and coal-to-liquids technology.
NATURAL GAS
The state has had recent new investment of $190 million, resulting in a 63 percent increase in natural gas processing capacity. Four new gas plants and four major expansions have been completed within the last 18 months, and plans are underway for three more expansions, increasing production capacity by 100 million cubic feet a day.
CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY – Lignite 21 Projects
Three projects are in development with economic impacts of billions of dollars on local communities in eastern, central and western North Dakota. These include the South Heart Project; ALE Coal-to-Liquids Plant; and Spiritwood Energy. Production includes electrical, gasification, and coal-to-liquids, as well as partnerships with renewables.
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